Thinking of her son still in mortal danger, the Empress had no choice but to disguise herself. She said angrily, “Your Majesty, if you listen to slanderous words and harm the Crown Prince, you will surely regret it! Only he is the most filial son. All the others are ungrateful wolves, all thinking of usurping your throne!”

The Emperor laughed coldly: “Filial son? He’s already climbed into Beauty Zhang’s bed—truly filial indeed!” Even taking over the Emperor’s duties—wasn’t that filial? If Beauty Zhang became pregnant, would the child be his son or grandson? Thinking of this, his expression became extremely ugly, as if on the verge of collapse.

Everyone hastily knelt, not daring to listen further, including Consort Lian and Li Weiyang. But this matter had long ceased to be secret today. They had heard it, and the Emperor couldn’t kill everyone.

The Empress, however, was dismissive and blurted out, “The Crown Prince was framed! How could he fancy that little harlot!”

The Emperor’s blood surged, his face turning purple. He hadn’t lost his temper like this in many years. His gaze fixed coldly on the Empress as he said, “It’s my fault. All these years, I’ve been too indulgent toward you mother and son, leading you to be so disrespectful and improper!”

The Empress was his first wife. No matter what she did, the Emperor had never publicly humiliated her like this. She was currently ill and particularly vulnerable. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but shed tears, yet her tone grew even more aggressive: “I would like to enjoy wealth and honor, to be dignified like an Empress should be, but can I?! You go a year and a half without visiting other palaces. Aside from that harlot pretending to be a celestial maiden, who have you truly favored? Your Majesty also says we don’t know propriety—if you’re unwilling to see us mother and son, just kill us! You’d be rid of us cleanly!”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang lowered her eyes and smiled.

Just then, Tuoba Zhen rushed over and fell to his knees with a thud, grabbing the Emperor’s dragon robe and pleading desperately, “Father Emperor! Please reconsider! The Crown Prince must have been falsely accused. Mother Empress also spoke rashly in a moment of anger. Please, considering her many years of toil, forgive her transgressions!” With that, he knocked his head repeatedly on the ground.

Such a sincere display—if others didn’t know better, they’d truly think Tuoba Zhen was so filial! Li Weiyang sneered coldly. He still needed the Empress and Crown Prince, so he least wanted anything to happen to these two.

Consort Lian kept her head lowered, unable to help but recall why Li Weiyang had instructed her to find a way to set fire in the palace—the purpose was singular: make this incident massive! Indeed, if only the Emperor alone had discovered the affair between Beauty Zhang and the Crown Prince, he would merely have killed Beauty Zhang. Though the Emperor had long wanted to depose the Crown Prince, he kept hesitating. But by making this known to everyone, if the Emperor still forgave the Crown Prince, he as Emperor would become the laughingstock of the world! Imperial authority was inviolable. Whether or not you stood one step away from the dragon throne, as long as you hadn’t sat on the Emperor’s seat for even one day, you had to recognize your place and keep to your proper role!

Tuoba Zhen desperately signaled the Empress with his eyes, wanting her to calm down, but he didn’t know that the Empress had already completely lost her composure. Or perhaps when the Emperor publicly rebuked her, she was no longer that dignified and noble Empress of before. Being supported by others, clearly trembling, her flushed face suddenly turned alternately green and white—extremely ugly. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall, saying through gritted teeth, “You needn’t plead for me. In his heart, we mother and son have long meant nothing!”

The Emperor’s patience had reached its limit. Gasping, he pointed at the Empress: “You… fine… summon people! Have the Ministry of Rites come! Draft an edict—I will depose this shrew!”

Tuoba Zhen’s expression changed drastically. From excessive shock, he felt dizzy, his chest feeling stuffy, as if pressed by a great stone. A fury rose from the bottom of his heart like a raging fire, followed by deep disappointment and profound fear: How had the Emperor become like this? Why had he become this way? Everything was already beyond his control!

He knelt on the ground, kowtowing and crying out, “Father Emperor, Mother Empress merely lost her composure momentarily—”

The Emperor laughed coldly: “Since she keeps saying I’ve abandoned them mother and son, why should I continue to endure bitterly! Anyone who continues to plead—I don’t mind another display of righteousness destroying kinship!”

Li Weiyang sneered coldly. Actually, after venting today, the Emperor had intended not to bother with this terminally ill Empress, planning to send her back and ignore her thereafter. But who knew that with one retort following another, the Empress would actually say she was willing to be deposed—this was simply slapping the Emperor in the face. Whom he chose to favor, whom he chose to be with—that was all imperial grace. As Empress, she couldn’t handle it calmly and even shouted such things publicly. How could the Emperor not be enraged?

The Empress could have wept and begged for mercy, but her inner fire blazed too hot today. Li Weiyang had deliberately come to provoke her, and over there stood the fresh and lovely Consort Lian. The Empress couldn’t help but think that the Emperor had been cold toward the harem for a long time because of Consort Lian… But after all, she was getting old and couldn’t compete for favor like young consorts. Though it was obviously improper by reason, she had pretended not to see. Yet now the Emperor actually rebuked her because of Consort Lian, and even accused the Crown Prince of having an affair with Beauty Zhang! In the Empress’s view, if you hadn’t brought so many little vixens into the palace and left them unmanaged, how would they seduce the Crown Prince? Without their seduction, how would the Crown Prince have ended up sleeping with his father’s woman in the harem! Because of this, the Empress felt completely justified. With righteousness on her side, her words naturally contained much presumptuous offense—

She had originally thought the Emperor was merely speaking harshly, but hearing him actually wanting to depose her, the Empress’s hands trembled neurotically. Her entire face became completely distorted. Waving her hands wildly like a wild beast, she desperately rushed toward the Emperor. The Emperor had never seen her like this. Both disgusted and somewhat frightened, he retreated a step in fear, saying, “Hurry and restrain the Empress! She’s gone mad!”

The guards couldn’t react in time. Consort Lian rushed forward to protect the Emperor, but was struck by the Empress’s hand, leaving a bloody mark on her beautiful face. Consort Lian covered her face and wept piteously. The guards quickly restrained the Empress. The Emperor said viciously, “The Empress is unvirtuous and improper, failing as mother to the realm. Her Empress position is hereby revoked, demoting her to—commoner!”

At this moment, the atmosphere at the entire palace entrance seemed gripped by something. All the palace maids and eunuchs’ hearts pounded, their faces turning deathly pale. For a moment, no one knew what to say. It was so quiet that even the rustling of wind outside could faintly be heard.

“Father Emperor…” Tuoba Zhen quickly said, “I’ve never heard that Mother Empress has been unvirtuous. For you to dispose of her so suddenly will shake the court and alarm the realm. You must reconsider!”

“This matter doesn’t concern you! Be silent!” The Emperor rebuked angrily.

Tuoba Zhen knew that if the Empress fell, many things he had painstakingly arranged could no longer be realized. To him, the Empress and Crown Prince would eventually need to be eliminated, but absolutely not now! He crawled forward a step, repeatedly kowtowing and saying loudly, “Father Emperor! Even if you punish this son, I must speak! This edict absolutely cannot be issued. Mother Empress is mother to the realm, mother of all under heaven. There is no clear evidence of her failing in virtue. You cannot casually depose the Empress!”

Consort Lian sneered inwardly but wiped away her tears and said gently, “Your Majesty, the Empress merely committed a heinous crime in a moment of anger. Please, Your Majesty, investigate clearly!” This was purely exploratory.

But Tuoba Zhen was twelve parts earnest, his voice even carrying a choking quality as he repeatedly knocked his head audibly, saying, “If Father Emperor deposes the Empress, the realm will also be shocked. At that time, if someone deliberately spreads rumors and causes trouble, what words won’t emerge? I beg Father Emperor to rescind the order!”

Consort Lian pleaded while wiping tears, but those tears seemed endless, making the bloody mark on that snow-white face even more prominent. The Emperor had originally wanted to descend this step gracefully, but seeing Consort Lian’s face and thinking of the saying “a ruler’s word carries no jest” and the Crown Prince’s various violations of human ethics, that bit of pity for the Empress vanished instantly.

He said coldly, “Enough! Issue the open decree!”

Everyone fell silent. Once the Emperor truly issued an open decree, this matter would be irreversible.

The smile at the corners of Li Weiyang’s lips deepened further. However, she didn’t believe Tuoba Zhen was out of tricks. Even now, she hadn’t yet seen Princess Anguo—one could guess what she had gone to do!

Sure enough, just as the Emperor’s words fell, they saw the Empress Dowager’s carriage arrive, and standing beside it was Princess Anguo. At this moment, Princess Anguo had restrained some of the arrogance from before her marriage, becoming more cautious. Li Weiyang looked at her with only a cold smile. No matter how restrained a wolf was, it was still ultimately a wolf. It disguised itself only to conceal the sins it had committed in the past.

The Empress Dowager descended from her carriage. Seeing the situation before her, she couldn’t help but darken her face: “Let’s all go inside the hall to talk.”

Everyone entered the great hall. Princess Anguo helped the Empress Dowager sit. The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor: “What matter cannot be discussed properly that you must make it known to all? Does the imperial family’s dignity still matter or not?”

Li Weiyang’s face remained utterly calm, eyes lowered and demure, but she sneered inwardly—your grandson has already climbed into your son’s bed. This imperial family’s dignity was long gone.

The Emperor’s face flushed red, but after all, he was the nation’s ruler. He couldn’t help but say, “Empress Dowager, I have tolerated them too long. This time, I absolutely cannot tolerate it any longer!”

The Empress Dowager frowned, her gaze sweeping across everyone’s faces. Seeing Consort Lian’s face bright red with blood, she couldn’t help but frown. Looking again at the disheveled Empress who appeared terminally ill, she couldn’t help but sigh: “For my sake, forgive the Empress.”

Consort Lian’s heart sank with a thud. Tuoba Zhen’s face showed no joy whatsoever. He knew that as long as the Empress could be saved, the Crown Prince would also be saved. But he vaguely felt that the Empress Dowager publicly persuading the Emperor like this was absolutely not good!

Li Weiyang, who had been observing from the sidelines all along, wasn’t particularly nervous at this moment… If Princess Anguo weren’t here today, if Tuoba Zhen weren’t here, the Emperor might listen to the Empress Dowager’s instructions. But unfortunately, they were all here!

The Emperor’s first reaction was that they were using the Empress Dowager to threaten him—and it was the soft coercion he most detested! The Emperor’s expression turned cold. His gaze swept past Princess Anguo, his tone indifferent: “The Empress Dowager is right. Deposing the Empress is a major matter and shouldn’t be so hasty. But the Empress is indeed ill and cannot continue managing the six palaces. From today onward, let her recuperate in her own palace. Without my orders, no one may visit her.”

Seeing the Empress Dowager seemed about to speak, the Emperor added, “Empress Dowager, my mind is made up.”

The Empress Dowager was stunned and couldn’t help but sigh softly. From when Princess Anguo came to find her, she knew she couldn’t obstruct the Emperor, because she understood her son best. Over these years, if he wanted to kill someone, no one could save them from his hands. Conversely, the more you pleaded, the more he felt you were working against him.

Consort Lian involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief. After all, she wasn’t like Li Weiyang, unable to completely grasp the Emperor’s personality. Her heart still felt somewhat uneasy, and she also found today’s events rather strange. For a moment, she felt this victory was like dancing on a knife’s edge—extremely dangerous.

Of everyone present, only Li Weiyang and Tuoba Zhen—these mortal enemies—understood today’s situation most clearly. Tuoba Zhen knew that from the moment the Empress suddenly erupted today, the fate of her and the Crown Prince had been decided. He suddenly understood why Li Weiyang had brought Consort Lian today to provoke the Empress—because she was certain the Empress couldn’t endure any longer, and she had grasped her vital point! A person already terminally ill had no scruples left! But this lack of scruples would send her to her own death!

Even the Empress Dowager had fallen silent. The Emperor immediately ordered people to escort the Empress back to her own palace and confine her under the name of “recuperating and settling her mind.” Everything was already settled. Though not deposed, for the Empress, this was even more miserable than deposition.

The Emperor glanced at the Empress Dowager: “Someone come! Bring up the Crown Prince, and simultaneously summon the Prime Minister, the Six Ministry Ministers, and all major officials to immediately convene at Pure Heart Hall.”

Inside the hall was deathly silence. Everyone realized the Emperor still had decisions to announce. The Empress Dowager’s expression changed slightly—the Emperor was going to—

In less than half an hour, all the ministers who had been attending court had arrived at Pure Heart Hall. In the Great Calendar’s palace, it was always divided into two architectural complexes—inner palace and outer palace. The inner palace was where the Emperor and his consorts resided, which ministers couldn’t easily enter. The outer palace was where the Emperor handled government affairs. Pure Heart Hall was located between the outer and inner palaces, a rather special council chamber.

Tuoba Zhen gritted his teeth, glaring at Li Weiyang. The Crown Prince’s crime of seducing his stepmother absolutely couldn’t stand, because the Emperor wouldn’t expose family scandals! If you want to topple the Crown Prince, how could it be so easy! However, Li Weiyang didn’t even glance at him, only remaining expressionless, as if everything was unrelated to her—she was merely an inexplicable bystander.

The Emperor not only summoned important ministers but even had all consorts of second rank and above from the harem, as well as princes and princesses, attend. Everyone realized that what the Emperor would announce was not only a major court matter but also concerned the entire imperial family. For Li Weiyang, this was actually a good thing. Watching Tuoba Zhen’s furious expression with her own eyes, her heart still felt quite comfortable.

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides. Tuoba Yu, Ninth Princess, and others who had been summoned to Pure Heart Hall also quickly arrived. Yet the entire great hall was strangely quiet, with a feeling that made one’s hair stand on end.

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows and glanced at Tuoba Yu, who nodded to her. She smiled faintly, knowing very clearly that matters had been settled.

The Emperor looked at the imperial family members and civil and military officials standing respectfully below, but his expression appeared grave and serious. Earlier, he had already prepared his speech mentally. This current coldness and silence was laying the groundwork for the words about to be spoken. With the supreme Emperor not speaking, below was even more silent. One by one, they kept their eyes lowered, as if thinking about something, or as if waiting for something. After a long while, the Emperor finally spoke, saying word by word, “Today, I have summoned you all to announce an important matter.”

These words left everyone looking at each other in confusion, yet below remained utterly silent.

The Emperor said coldly, “The Crown Prince’s rebellious and treasonous heart has long existed. Various signs have become increasingly clear. I have decided to depose the Crown Prince!”

His words had barely fallen when they heard a “thud” below—someone had collapsed to the ground. It turned out to be the Crown Prince, just brought into the great hall by guards. Speaking of beauty, Beauty Zhang wasn’t necessarily superior to his secondary consort Jiang Lan or other women he had favored. Moreover, he had once been very fond of Jiang Lan, even prioritizing her in everything. But later, after the Jiang family fell, Jiang Lan began to grow anxious about gains and losses, no longer that gentle and beautiful secondary consort. All day long, she only cared about whether she could become Crown Princess, even constantly reminding the Crown Prince to beware of this one, be vigilant of that one! Gradually, he grew somewhat weary of Jiang Lan’s constantly preaching face and began secretly pursuing beauties. But the Emperor himself widely recruited consorts yet hoped the Crown Prince would remain prudent and stay away from women. Especially recently, though he hadn’t been punished by the Emperor, he could sense the Emperor’s coldness toward him. So even if the Crown Prince wanted beauties, he didn’t dare be presumptuous. Therefore, the Crown Prince had to appear completely proper before others.

But people were like this—the more suppressed, the more that lustful heart couldn’t be restrained. When opportunity arose, it would rebound doubly. When the Crown Prince felt bored, he encountered Beauty Zhang again in the Empress’s palace. Beauty Zhang had originally been a spy he trained and sent into the Emperor’s palace, specifically to gather the Emperor’s information. Unfortunately, though Beauty Zhang was radiantly beautiful and full of charm, she ultimately couldn’t compete with the incomparably beautiful Consort Lian. She had been fresh for a while at first but quickly fell into obscurity. The Crown Prince then used gathering intelligence as an excuse to reconnect with Beauty Zhang. The Emperor was already aged. Beauty Zhang had no children. After the Emperor’s death, she would have to remain forever in the deep palace. Then, with only Buddhist lamps and solitude—she was in her youth and vigor, how could she endure it? So she exerted all her skills to cling to the Crown Prince even more.

But the Crown Prince understood very clearly that though Beauty Zhang’s rank was low, after all she was the Emperor’s consort—that made her his stepmother. This incestuous affair, though not uncommon throughout dynastic palace histories, ultimately wasn’t something open and aboveboard. So he had always been careful to avoid others’ eyes and ears, proceeding cautiously. But this time while attending to the Empress’s illness, he suddenly received a love token sent by Beauty Zhang’s trusted attendant. His heart inexplicably stirred, and moreover, to demonstrate filial piety, he had fasted and bathed for many days without touching any beauties. This time, naturally, he couldn’t restrain himself. Knowing the Emperor rarely went to Beauty Zhang’s palace and the Empress was sleeping soundly, the Crown Prince made what he thought were proper arrangements and went excitedly—who knew he would be caught in the act.

The Crown Prince had originally thought there was still a chance to plead, but unexpectedly the Emperor didn’t even look at him before charging him with treason. His mind immediately went “boom,” and his legs went soft as he collapsed to the ground.

At this moment, beads of sweat had already formed densely on the ministers’ foreheads inside the hall. Especially those who usually associated closely with the Crown Prince—their hearts were all pounding “boom boom boom.” But each person clenched their teeth tightly, trying to stand as straight as possible, lest the Emperor think they were in collusion with the Crown Prince.

Seeing the ministers all kept their heads slightly lowered, the Emperor said, “Does anyone have anything to say?”

Tuoba Yu stepped forward: “Father Emperor, today’s Crown Prince is no longer fit to inherit the great enterprise. Deposition is a major court matter. The Crown Prince’s crimes must be fully disclosed to the realm to deter his faction, so that all may be convinced and the realm’s hearts return.”

The Emperor nodded: “I have already ordered people to search the Crown Prince’s manor and the Empress’s sleeping palace.”

Shortly after, guards entered the hall and showed the Emperor the physical evidence in their hands. The Emperor laughed coldly and threw a cloth bundle at the Crown Prince’s feet, saying, “Look for yourself!”

The Crown Prince opened the bundle and saw inside a finely crafted wooden figure, fully seven or eight inches tall. The wooden figure’s hands and feet were bound tightly with ropes and shackles. At the heart’s position, a thick, long iron nail had been driven in. Most terrifying was that the wooden figure wore dragon robes! Clearly, this wooden figure represented the Emperor!

The Crown Prince’s expression changed completely. He could barely even crawl up.

The Emperor said, “This was dug up from the Empress’s palace. The Empress has always been dignified and virtuous—she couldn’t do such a thing. The only possibility is you, who attended her illness for many days in her palace!”

Li Weiyang smiled. In fact, this was dug up from Beauty Zhang’s palace. In the Empress’s palace, Tuoba Zhen’s defenses were too tight—there was no way to insert people. But the Emperor wouldn’t tell anyone where this object came from, because he had already made up his mind to depose the Crown Prince. So where it was dug up made no difference whatsoever.

Tuoba Zhen’s face was iron-blue. He knew Li Weiyang had been plotting this for a long time, not acting on today’s impulse. She had even guessed the Emperor wouldn’t speak the Crown Prince’s true crimes aloud and had found him the most perfect excuse. What reason could be more appropriate than the Crown Prince’s treason! Matters had reached this point—the Crown Prince’s situation was lost. What he could do now was instead quickly clear himself of suspicion.

The Crown Prince’s face was deathly pale, his lips dark and trembling. Though he didn’t know who had so viciously framed him, he clearly realized he was finished.

Tuoba Yu laughed coldly: “Your Majesty, when the Crown Prince and this son were together, he constantly displayed his arrogance and extravagance. He often revealed resentment toward Father Emperor. He frequently said: Father Emperor always scolds me for favoring concubines, but doesn’t he also take in many beautiful consorts? He’s following your example!” Then he glanced at an official named Chen Zheng beside the Eastern Palace Crown Prince. Chen Zheng understood and immediately stepped forward, kowtowing: “Not only that, the Crown Prince also set up an altar and summoned Daoists to curse Your Majesty. That Daoist said Your Majesty’s lifespan extends ten thousand generations and cannot be easily shaken. The Crown Prince then asked that Daoist to alter your lifespan, cursing you so he could replace you soon.”

The Emperor’s expression had become unspeakably ugly.

He said coldly, “The Crown Prince has long been without virtue. How hateful that my great rivers and mountains nearly fell into such a rebellious son’s hands! Transmit my imperial edict: immediately depose the Crown Prince, imprison him in the Heavenly Prison, and order the Minister of Justice to investigate the Crown Prince’s treason case.”

The Emperor’s words echoed down, creating hole after hole in the court’s situation. This earth-shattering event shocked nearly everyone in the palace, yet Li Weiyang showed no expression, as if everything was unrelated to her. However, at this time, no one paid attention to her anyway.

When Tuoba Zhen walked out of the palace hall, Li Weiyang happened to be leaving. Tuoba Zhen stared at her beautiful face, his eyes seeming to shoot poisoned arrows. Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “What’s wrong with Your Highness, looking at me with such eyes?”

Tuoba Zhen laughed coldly. From Li Weiyang’s ancient-well-like eyes, he saw terrifying darkness capable of devouring everything. Ha! He had truly underestimated her. Her reach was so long, combined with such unfathomable cunning…

It made one’s hair stand on end—

From when he began competing for that chair, he knew he would face countless enemies. But he never imagined that one day, the person blocking his path would be the only woman he had ever truly cared for. This face had appeared countless times in midnight dreams, yet he no longer knew when he thought of her whether love, hate, loathing, or resentment was more, or which ran deeper. Li Weiyang, how terrifying you are—when you smile, you’re thinking of tearing me to shreds. He sneered coldly: “Li Weiyang, you used Consort Lian, calculated against the Crown Prince and Empress, even Father Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s thoughts—you grasped them all precisely. How should I regard you? You’re fundamentally a demon who calculates human hearts.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “What words is Third Highness speaking? Weiyang truly doesn’t understand. If Weiyang had such great ability, how could Your Highness still stand here properly? Aiya, it’s getting late. Weiyang should leave the palace. Tomorrow there will surely be many more matters. Your Highness, don’t be too surprised.” In other words, accept your fate, Tuoba Zhen.

Tuoba Zhen watched him coldly, saying softly, “This round, you won. But next time, I won’t necessarily lose to you!”

Li Weiyang sneered coldly: “Then let’s wait and see!”

Princess Anguo saw Tuoba Zhen talking with Li Weiyang from afar and was immediately so angry her face turned green. Since marrying Tuoba Zhen, she discovered his manor had four beautiful concubines and countless lovely dancing girls, each full of charm, skilled in both beauty and art. But Princess Anguo vaguely felt that among the four most-favored concubines, one called A-Xia bore five parts resemblance to Li Weiyang in her features. Another called Yunxia—those eyes also resembled Li Weiyang perfectly, cold and indifferent, yet carrying an indescribable allure that one couldn’t refuse.

In fury, Princess Anguo gouged out these two concubines’ eyes and even soaked the eyeballs in wine. Tuoba Zhen had always been cool toward women in his manor and never took their lives or deaths to heart, but he couldn’t tolerate Princess Anguo’s such arrogant behavior. He severely rebuked her on the spot. Yet Princess Anguo didn’t care at all. After all, she had witnessed countless palace methods and felt confident in her superior looks and noble status. However, though she exhausted all means of pleasing him, she couldn’t wrap Tuoba Zhen around her finger. Princess Anguo had thought it was his natural disposition. But every time she saw him converse and speak with Li Weiyang, it reminded Princess Anguo again and again that Tuoba Zhen wasn’t heartless—he just refused to place his heart on her.

What was Li Weiyang? Though she had a princess title, ultimately she was just a bastard daughter born to a foot-washing maid! Princess Anguo prided herself on nobility—how could she swallow this grievance? Because of Li Weiyang, she quarreled with Tuoba Zhen repeatedly, but each time it was she who ended up begging his forgiveness! Even now, he refused to even enter her chambers, only favoring other concubines. No matter what methods Princess Anguo used, even if she secretly dealt with those women, the next day Tuoba Zhen would willfully recruit a new batch of dancing girls into the manor. No matter how capable Princess Anguo was, she couldn’t kill all the beauties in Great Calendar. She had held back her frustration for a long time and had no choice but to seek peace with Tuoba Zhen. But ultimately, her heart remained depressed with nowhere to vent her anger. Today, seeing Tuoba Zhen talking with Li Weiyang, fire immediately surged upward in her heart.

She quickly walked before Li Weiyang: “Standing here seducing men in broad daylight—is the Princess truly unable to marry?”

Li Weiyang glanced at her and sneered coldly: “Princess, you’ve forgotten something.”

Princess Anguo raised her eyebrows: “What matter?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Princess, you put on such airs. Since you’ve married into the imperial family, you should understand imperial family rules. I’m the Empress Dowager’s adopted daughter, personally bestowed the title by His Majesty and entered in the jade register. By reckoning, I’m your and Third Prince’s elder. You should at least address me as ‘aunt.’ Now with such glaring eyes and furrowed brows—you truly don’t understand propriety. Previously, we could indulge you because you’re from another nation. But now you’re Great Calendar’s daughter-in-law. Surely you can’t be so ignorant of even this basic etiquette?”

Princess Anguo wanted nothing more than to slap Li Weiyang. However, Li Weiyang’s brows rose, her eyes shooting icy rays that actually frightened Princess Anguo into involuntarily stepping back. She turned to look back but found not a single hidden guard at her side—no way to deal with Li Weiyang. Only then did she remember the palace didn’t allow bringing hidden guards, and she felt somewhat uneasy. After a long moment, she raised her spirits again: “Father Emperor gave me special permission not to pay respects when seeing others!”

That was in the past! Not now! Li Weiyang sneered coldly. Princess Anguo simply couldn’t distinguish between guest and host! When she was Great Calendar’s guest and did something wrong, others wouldn’t blame her. But having married into the imperial family, if she still couldn’t adapt to her status, it was truly laughable.

Tuoba Zhen said coldly, “Anguo, pay respects to Imperial Aunt!”

Princess Anguo gritted her teeth: “No! I refuse! Why should I pay respects to such a lowly person!”

Tuoba Zhen said sternly, “Anguo, pay respects to Imperial Aunt immediately!”

Princess Anguo froze, her expression turning alternately green and white, eyes widening: “You’ve gone mad! Shouting at me like this because of this woman!” Her lack of propriety lay precisely here—having been too indulged, she couldn’t even see that Tuoba Zhen was preserving the larger situation. Li Weiyang only watched their husband-wife coldly, a slight smile at the corners of her mouth. With such a wife, Tuoba Zhen’s inner courtyard would truly catch fire.

Princess Anguo showed an expression on the verge of tears. Tuoba Zhen, annoyed, flung his sleeve and turned to leave. Princess Anguo suddenly called out, “Husband!” Tuoba Zhen showed no intention of stopping and walked away without looking back.

Princess Anguo was furious to the extreme and said harshly to Li Weiyang, “You unmarriageable old woman! Don’t think having some beauty means you can seduce my husband!”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh: “I’m only a year older than you. How did I become an old woman? Princess, you’re too careless with words!”

Princess Anguo sneered coldly: “What if you’re only a year older? Aren’t you still unable to marry?”

Li Weiyang looked at her, her smile growing increasingly cold. Female Official De, who had been guiding Li Weiyang out of the palace, smiled and bowed: “Third Prince Consort, the Empress Dowager is currently in low spirits. Should you go to her palace to keep her company and talk for a while? To console her?”

She had originally come with good intentions to defuse the impasse. However, Princess Anguo wouldn’t descend this step at all. She actually sneered coldly: “You get lost!” Female Official De’s expression became extremely ugly. She was Consort Lian’s favored female official. Moreover, with the Empress now useless, Consort Lian was the most honored and favored in the palace. Everyone had to curry favor with her. Who knew Princess Anguo wouldn’t give her any face at all?

Seeing Female Official De’s face turn pale, Princess Anguo thought the other was intimidated and couldn’t help but grow even more pleased, saying arrogantly, “Li Weiyang, you need to understand your status. You merely deceived your way to a princess title with your glib tongue. You have no imperial bloodline, nor are you of noble birth. So you’re nothing but something the Empress Dowager finds amusing when she’s bored. As for my husband, he just finds you useful. Don’t get the wrong idea thinking he’s truly taken with you!”

Female Official De felt Princess Anguo was increasingly going too far. Fearing Li Weiyang would be wronged, she quickly said, “Third Prince Consort, please be cautious with your words. This is the palace, after all.”

Princess Anguo backhanded Female Official De with a slap, saying angrily, “Masters are speaking—what business does a servant have interrupting! Be careful I have people drag you out and execute you immediately!”

Female Official De quickly stepped back: “Please calm your anger. This servant spoke without knowing her place. This servant knows her error.”

Princess Anguo laughed coldly, wanting to make an example, and said, “Lowly people are just lowly. Today I’ll help you recognize your own status! Slap yourself forty times!”

Female Official De’s expression became even uglier. By rights, Princess Anguo wasn’t her proper master and had no right to punish her. But if others knew, they would only think she had offended masters and was thus punished. Even Consort Lian couldn’t protect her. Her hand unconsciously lifted… But just then, Li Weiyang suddenly said lightly, “Princess, Female Official De being so disrespectful—in my view, forty slaps aren’t enough. Better to throw her to your hidden guards, torture her properly, use internal energy to shatter her heart meridians, then use a knife to slice her body in half. Don’t you think that would be much more satisfying?”

Princess Anguo felt all her body’s hairs stand on end, her eyebrows rising as she said harshly, “Li Weiyang, what are you saying?!”

Female Official De was also startled, but she quickly realized Li Weiyang wasn’t targeting her. Li Weiyang gave Female Official De a look, signaling her to withdraw. Female Official De imperceptibly glanced at Princess Anguo and stepped aside, but subtly blocked the view of those behind, making it impossible for them to hear clearly what the two were saying.

Li Weiyang said gently, “Princess, what I said—surely you understand? Did you bring those four hidden guards into the palace today? Such a dangerous place—you should keep them with you at all times, lest you accidentally stumble while walking and lack protection—”

“Li Weiyang! Stop using these third-rate tactics to scare me! What are you insinuating? I’m telling you, Sun Yanjun’s death has nothing to do with me. Don’t try to force a connection to me! You have no evidence!” Princess Anguo’s breath was very aggressive, but the light in her eyes flickered uncertainly.

Li Weiyang smiled: “Evidence? What do I need evidence for? Even if His Majesty knew of your actions, he would cover for you. Moreover, no one would offend the noble Yue Xi Princess for a woman already dead.”

Princess Anguo sneered coldly: “Good that you know this. I advise you not to meddle in others’ business, lest even your life isn’t spared!”

Li Weiyang sighed: “Yes, I should be careful. Vengeful ghosts claiming lives is no joke. The Princess should be even more vigilant.”

“Silence! Be silent immediately!” Princess Anguo flew into a rage.

Li Weiyang’s tone was very flat, but her gaze fixed tightly on Princess Anguo: “You killed her—it must have been to hide your own secret. And since you went to see a women’s physician, you must have an unspeakable illness. But Sun Yanjun happened to encounter you, so you killed her. Isn’t that right?”

Princess Anguo said angrily, “No! I didn’t! Li Weiyang, don’t speak nonsense!” However, as she spoke, she unconsciously retreated two steps.

Li Weiyang’s eyelids lifted slightly, her gaze gloomily fixed on her, the smile on her face like cold plum blossoms blooming in frigid wind—fresh yet icy, carrying an unshakeable determination: “Princess Anguo, take good care of yourself.” These two words “take care” seemed squeezed through gritted teeth, carrying a terrifying ferocity.

Princess Anguo felt extremely guilty but forced herself to argue, “Li Weiyang, don’t try to scare me! I’m telling you, you won’t be pleased for long! I want to see how many days you can remain arrogant!” With that, she turned and left without looking back, as if ghosts were chasing her.

Female Official De stepped forward, watching Princess Anguo who had been so arrogant but now appeared so frightened. She couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What happened to the Princess?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Nothing but a guilty conscience.”

Female Official De showed a strange expression. She didn’t know what grudge Li Weiyang and Princess Anguo had, but observing today’s series of events, Li Weiyang was definitely not someone to be trifled with. Princess Anguo was so arrogant and domineering entirely because of her imperial birth. If not for that, she had nothing that compared to Li Weiyang. Thinking this, she consoled, “Princess, don’t take the Princess’s words to heart. She’s just a spoiled child.”

Yes, spoiled—but Princess Anguo wasn’t a child. Beneath her viciousness lay cunning and craftiness, not complete foolishness. If Princess Anguo were merely a pampered princess who only knew how to charge forward recklessly, matters wouldn’t be so complex. Li Weiyang vaguely felt that the Princess Anguo she saw, though willful, still had brains. Otherwise, today she couldn’t have persuaded the Empress Dowager. Of course, persuading the Empress Dowager and successfully saving the Empress were completely different matters. The former required intelligence; the latter required understanding of the Emperor’s and Empress Dowager’s thoughts. In this regard, Li Weiyang could say she was more proficient than anyone. Because she had spent so many years in the palace, seriously studying every person she needed to please.

Truly speaking, the only person she hadn’t thoroughly studied was Tuoba Zhen.

Li Weiyang gently lowered her head slightly. Female Official De saw beneath her long lashes, those eyes were pitch-black with a heart-stopping quality. She couldn’t help but say, “Today Princess Anguo’s words and behavior were improper. This servant will report back to Consort Lian—” meaning, find an opportunity to report to the Emperor.

Li Weiyang said softly, “This doesn’t concern you.”

Female Official De stole a glance at Li Weiyang’s expression. Though somewhat gloomy, it maintained perfect calm. She couldn’t read anything from it. Seeing Li Weiyang wave her hand with an air of casual indifference, Female Official De dared not say anything more.

Since the Crown Prince’s deposition, the Emperor had tightened palace security, searched the Crown Prince’s manor, imprisoned the Crown Prince and his stepmother, and executed a group of officials closely associated with the Crown Prince. For a time, everyone in the officialdom felt endangered. Simultaneously, to stabilize the harem and balance power, the Emperor issued an edict promoting Consort Lian to Imperial Noble Consort, overseeing the affairs of the six palaces. From then on, Consort Lian ascended to the first seat in the harem, sitting securely at the helm. The entire court’s situation was also subtly changing. Everything began reshuffling. Ministers began realigning. Though whom the supreme Emperor ultimately wanted to pass the throne to remained unknown, beneath the surface, undercurrents already surged turbulently. Though many favored Tuoba Yu, Tuoba Zhen with Yue Xi’s support was also a powerful contender for the throne. Surrounded by a crowd of flattery and ingratiation, Princess Anguo still dreamed her beautiful dream of becoming Great Calendar’s Empress, completely unaware that a web of revenge had unknowingly drawn near her…